This transformation is specified by the encryption key. What is encryption?Įncryption uses a complex algorithm to convert a message into a string of characters that are illegible. If you encrypt your flash drive, it is much more difficult for attackers to get unauthorized access to the data it contains, even if they steal it or you misplace it. Hackers can find a way to put even the most seemingly innocuous data to use for their malicious attacks. Even if you are not handling patients’ personal health information on your flash drive, you will want to keep it secure. 9, 2019, the New York City Fire Department had to notify over 10,000 patients because an FDNY employee had lost an external hard drive that contained seven years’ worth of medical records.ĭata breaches like this can be avoided if you encrypt your USB peripherals and external storage devices. In many cases, the result is a damaging data breach.
But what happens if you lose or misplace one of these devices? And they are becoming more critical as modern-day schooling, work, and life are increasingly awash in data. USB peripherals (commonly known as “flash drives”), memory cards, and external hard drives all make backing up and sharing your data simple.
